Re: News and discussion about new MJ album : Xscape, May 13, 2014.
Michael Jackson's new album Xscape: How good is it?
It's the news fans have been expecting for a while now - Michael Jackson has a 'new' album of previously unheard material coming out in May.
Naturally, posthumous albums completely divide opinion. One side doesn't want to resign themselves to the fact they will never hear anything new from their idol ever again, while the other argues their loyalty to protecting the legacy left behind. Considering the tepid response to MJ's first posthumous release Michael, we can see why the latter may ring truer when it comes to forthcoming album Xscape.
Truth is, while Jackson's estate may be scraping the barrel to stitch together yet another money-spinning collection, we have to remember that it's a pretty astonishing barrel to be scraping. After listening to Xscape for the first time, you're left with the sense that only the very best of what Jackson has left behind has been "contemporised", and nothing more.
The first track bursts with flourishing strings, before layering on '80s disco beats and crisp finger clicks. "The night is going to be just fine," Michael assures us - and while the standard could never reach his pop peak, the groove of the track is soaked in nostalgia. We should probably note at this point that we don't know any titles for the tracks yet, because they haven't been finalised.
Jackson practically gave birth to the genre 'dirty-pop', and track two throws back to that period when you wouldn't see him on stage without bolshy bass and hip-pop beats. "She lied to you/ She lied to me," he proclaims in his trademark growl, while the following cut is a flowing '80s-tinged serenade with orchestral bursts and choral harmonies. While we've been told that a range of producers such as Timbaland, Darkchild, Stargate and Jroc have "contemporised" the original demos, it's clear that they've also paid homage to the sound that turned MJ into a cultural icon.
Most of Xscape nods back to the height of Jackson's pop appeal. We haven't been told when each of the tracks originated from, but their final form echoes MJ's holy trinity of albums Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad. The fifth song we were played opens with computerized synths as the star's iconic ad libs of "hee-hee" and "aaaow" smack you with excitement. Echoed snare beats and a storming rawk guitar solo make it one of the stand-out tracks, even if the chorus does hear him dubiously ask: "Do you know where your children are?"
Track number six - which we identified as 'Slave to the Rhythm' - begins with a massive string-led swoosh of scenic proportions, before it completely drops into glitchy electronics and rattling beats. Its shuffling groove marks it as classic MJ, making it yet another highlight. Even better, Justin Bieber doesn't feature on the track after that worrying leak of an alternative version back in 2013.
Quincy Jones may not have had a hand in the project, but the cinematic quality to the songs demonstrates that the school of producers who made contributions to this record have obviously been influenced by his techniques. Song number seven - which might be called 'Blue Gangsta' - opens with Bond Theme-styled strings and tinned beats, before hearing Michael complain: "Look what you've done to me/ I can no longer smile." Xscape's overarching narrative is what we've always loved about Jackson; the superstar who is unlucky in love, but never doubts its power.
The posthumous collection concludes with title track 'Xscape', which we know was originally written by Jackson and Rodney Jerkins during the Invincible sessions. It's the only track which has been re-worked by its original producer, and hears turn-of-the-millennium Jackson snarl over a mix of '70s disco and '90s R&B. Its potential for some other-worldly choreography is palpable, which provokes a sad tinge of what could've been.
So, is Xcsape any good? There's been a concerted effort to recapture Jackson during his imperial phase in the '80s; the music god who effortlessly rolled soul, R&B, electronica, rock and pop into soundscapes of brilliance. No, it's not as good as Michael at his very best, but then again, it never was going to be.
That said, it's a considered and worthy collection of reworked gems that remind you of just how important Michael Jackson was - and let's face it, not many other artists can release their cutting room floor cast-offs and it can still sound this good.
Michael Jackson's new album Xscape will be released worldwide on May 13. Sony Mobile customers of select new devices, including Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 tablet and Xperia M2, will be able to download the new album for free on day of digital release through the Xperia Lounge app.
Read more:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/f...good-is-it.html#~oAbe01vjbbu0QD#ixzz2xdNFXHnF